Archive By Section - HOME SCENE
Selling your home out of season?
In a perfect world, no one would ever have to face the challenge of trying to sell a house when there's dormant grass and the trees are bare. In reality, people have to sell and buy homes throughout the year.
A warning about unpaid real estate taxes
DEAR BENNY: Subsequent to the purchase/settlement of my condo, I began receiving claims of delinquent real estate taxes that the seller had neglected to pay from a previous year, prior to my purchase of the property. I notified my settlement agent, who asked that the seller look into the matter, and I have emailed the seller to see what he had done about it.
Creating a dream bedroom for your child
Just about every child wishes for a dream bedroom, but it takes inspiration to transform four white walls into a fairytale princess room or tree house hideaway. Fortunately, you don't have to be an interior designer or skilled craftsman to become a hero. A little family compromising, combined with some simple painting techniques, can go a long way in creating a fun, personalized design that kids love - and parents can live with over time.
Fall/winter home decorating tips
Are you over orange as an autumn decorating accent? Bored with relying on balsam and fir touches to evoke a holiday spirit in your home? If cooler weather and the coming holidays have you looking for new decorating ideas, here are some trends that will be heating up interior design this year:
No-interest loan comes with tax bite
DEAR BENNY: My wife and I want to give our two grown children an interest-free loan for $360,000. They currently have a 15-year fixed 5 percent loan for this amount for a second home they both enjoy. With our given money they can immediately pay off the bank loan and pay us back $4,587 per month for approximately 6.5 years. The $4,587 is their current monthly payment. Staying with the bank loan, they would fully pay it off in seven years and 10 months. Paying the loan off 16 months early will represent a savings to ...
Winterize your home for long-term payback
You may not want to think about it, but winter will be here again before you know it. Of course, winter means it's time to turn the heat back on, which can be a strain on your home energy budget.
Protecting young children in the home
When your child skins her knee or bumps her head, how do you comfort her? With a kiss and a hug? No matter how loving and careful you are, it's impossible to shield your children from all of life's little injuries.
Time for mortgage lending to go back to the future
Back to the future - that is exactly what the government needs to do.
Designing with an exceptional shower
For some of us, the shower is a personal sanctuary - the only place and time of the day to unwind and not be bothered by anything from the outside world. So why not make an exceptional shower the centerpiece of your next bathroom remodel? Utilize the latest in style - and even technology - to create the ultimate retreat.
Does foreclosure wipe out all liens?
DEAR BENNY: In a recent column you said that "a foreclosure by a first-trust (lender) will wipe out any subordinate liens." But that is not necessarily the case, is it?
‘Know your rights’ housing day Oct. 8
STOCKTON - The California Rural Legal Assistance is holding a free clinic that will provide legal information to those who are at risk of eviction, foreclosure or housing discrimination.
Creating a year-round oasis in your backyard
When winter approaches, do you stow the grill and cover the patio furniture, wishing there was some way you could continue to enjoy your outdoor living space all year? If so, you're not alone.
Artful design pairings create a culinary paradise
Just as matching food with the right wine can elevate a simple meal to the level of a culinary experience, artfully pairing design elements in your kitchen can turn a utilitarian room into a chef's paradise.
Stockton, Modesto homes $58,000 lower than Manteca
Mountain House - ballyhooed as San Joaquin's first affordable housing community in the late 1990s when massive zoning changes were needed to make it happen - is anything but even four years into the foreclosure debacle.
Buy new, buy now: ‘Turn-key’ sales event
With the success of more than 200 homes sold since the Woodside Homes "Turn-Key" sales event began in mid-July, the builder is extending the celebration through September 30. As part of the promotion, homebuyers enjoy a selection of any two of the available bonuses, including: a designer-coordinated package of a new stainless steel side-by-side refrigerator, washer, dryer and window coverings; backyard landscaping; or 30-year fixed rate financing at a below-market rate of just 3.75 percent.
Articles by Section - HOME SCENE
LOOK IN LATHROP
Homes that qualify for FHA mortgages are in high demand.
Revive the charm of mid- century modern design
Mid-century modern inspiration draws from the 1940s through the 1960s, a twenty-year span when design was sleek, elegant and functional. Although the style originated more than 70 years ago, this trend has resurfaced with a fresh revival.
Lawn mower accessories help you get landscaping jobs done
Efficiency is the name of the game these days. At the office it comes into play in processing work quickly and at a lower cost. At home, efficiency means being able to get the household and landscaping chores done so you can spend time with the family.
To stack TVs & fireplaces? That is the great debate
When choosing a focal point for a room, designers and homeowners alike often plan for a single feature - windows, TVs, artwork, or fireplaces - to take center stage. However, the explosion of flat screen TVs for every room in the home has created a debate - can you really have more than one focal point?
Laying a good foundation for improvement success
You've probably heard the saying: "Your home is your castle." But if your current home - or the home you're thinking of buying -feels more like the servant's quarters than the royal palace, you may need to plan a renovation. At times like these it's easy to give in to your excitement and get the project moving forward, but take a moment to plan your overall strategy. You'll find that, much like your future castle, your renovation project will benefit from a solid foundation.
Average 30-year mortgage rate at 4.13%
WASHINGTON (AP) - Average U.S. long-term mortgage rates were stable to slightly higher this week, remaining near their lows for the year.
5 HOME SELLING TIPS
LOS ANGELES (AP) - The rebound in U.S. home values over the past couple of years has placed many homeowners in a better position to sell their home for a profit.
Home sales increase 2.6 percent in June
WASHINGTON (AP) - Sales of previously owned homes rose for a third straight month in June, pushing activity to the highest level in eight months and providing evidence that housing is regaining lost momentum.
How bad would it be without Prop. 13?
Ah, the good old days before Proposition 13.
GOING TO THE DOGS
LOS ANGELES (AP) - These homes are set apart by their amenities - for dogs.
Mowers, chain saws & high- ethanol gas: safety tips
Whether you're beautifying your landscape with a lawn mower and hedge trimmer or using a chain saw to clear space for that deck you've always dreamed of, it's important to take proper care when using outdoor power equipment. Safety measures help protect both the equipment and the people using it.
Energy-efficient home upgrades that can also save you money
It's the perfect time to think green.
Chic chalet: Give your kitchen a stunning mountain makeover
Your kitchen doesn't need a Matterhorn vista to stay on top of the latest "chalet chic" design trend. It's easier than you think to get this style by mixing rustic pieces with modern touches.
Tricks to instantly refresh your home design for entertaining
Summer is the ideal time to host events at home with family and friends. But is your home ready for summer soirees? The kitchen is the heart of the home and where people naturally congregate, so it's important it showcases your signature style and reflects the relaxed feeling of the summer season.
Downside of low rates? Owners reluctant to sell
WASHINGTON (AP) - Would-be home sellers across the country are grappling with a once-in-a-lifetime problem: They have mortgage rates so absurdly low it would hurt them financially to sell.
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